Machine for vibration treatment of surfaces



July 28, 1959 R, M, WATSON 2,896,646

MACHINEFOR vIBRATIoN TREATMENT o? suRFAcEs Filed May 5, 1954 v T l 5 Sheets-sheet 1 JNVENTOR.

` Rober/ M. Wason ATTORNEY July 2s, 1959 R. M. WATSON 2,896,646

MACHINE FOR VIBRATION TREATMENT OF SURFACES Filed May 5, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 .HILL

/ JNVENTOR.

Robert M. Wa/son 'BY m9. /6-C 222 l 7 MACHINE FR VIBRATION TREATMENT OF SURFACES Robert M. Watson, North Hollywood, Calif., assignor to Bendix Aviation Corporation, North Hollywood, Calif., a corporation of Delaware Application May 5, 1954, Serial No. 427,736 2 Claims. (Cl. 134-122) This invention relates to machines for developing sonic or ultrasonic waves in a iiuid medium contacting a surface to produce or enhance ian action of the medium on the surface. It is particularly suited for the rapid treatment of large surfaces, such las those of sheet-s of lglass for cleaning or other purposes.

An object of the invention is to provide a practicable machine for rapidly treating large surfaces with sonic or ultrasonic waves in a fluid medium.

Other more specific objects and features of the invention` will appear from the` description to follow.

It is known that, if the surface of an object is exposed to a fluid medium in which high-frequency waves are generated, relatively powerful action of the liquid against the surface can be induced. The -action can be a cleaning one or a corroding one, depending upon the natures of the surface, material and the fluid medium, respectively, and the intensity and duration of the treatment. The action becomes very intense when the fluid medium is a liquid and the vibration is powerful enough to produce cavitation therein.

High-frequency (sonic or ultrasonic) waves have been found to be particularly effective in the cleaning of plate `glass following grinding and polishing thereof. lt is common practice to support `a sheet of plate glass for grinding and polishing by imbedding it in a layer of plaster `of Paris on a supporting table, the plaster quickly setting to provide a solid support under every portion of the plate. However, following the removal of the glass from the table, both the glass yand table have strongly adherent coatings of hardened plaster, the removal of which has `been a serious problem. It has been found that exposure of the plaster-encrusted surfaces to water in which high-frequency waves are generated is very effective in removing the plaster, but there still remained the problem of j how to economically apply the treatmentito large surfaces.

In accordance with the present invention, the problem is solved by a machine through which glass sheets or tables can be continuously moved on a production line and which applies to the surface as it moves therethrough a film of water and generates in the water film powerful high-frequency waves effective to remove all foreign particles from the surface.

A full understanding of the invention may be had from the following detailed description with reference to the drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a machine in accordance with the invention for cleaning both faces of a sheet of glass.

Fig. 2 is a -side elevation of the same machine looking at the right side as'viewed in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is van enlarged side elevation takenin the plane III-III of Fig. 1.

Fig. `4 is a plan view of a portion of the machine taken in the plane lV--IV of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is an irregular section taken along the line V-V of Fig. 4.

itd States arent ice Fig. 6 is a front elevational view of -a machine in accordance with the invention for cleaning the upper surface of an object, such as a table.

Fig. 7 is ya side elevational view of the machine shown in Fig: 6.

Referring first to Fig. 2, there lare shown portions of a continuous conveyer 10 for conveying sheets 1f to `be cleaned through a cleaning machine 12 in accordance with the invention. The conveyor may be of any known type that will support the sheets 11 lat a constant level during pas-sage through machine 12.

The machine 12 comprises upper and lower electromechanical vibrators 13 and 14, respectively, having working faces that are closely positioned to the upper and lower surfaces, respectively, of the sheets 11 as they move through the machine. In other words, the working face of each vibrator lies in a plane that is parallel and closely spaced to one boundary of the path through which the sheets 11 move.

Referring to Figs. 3,`4 and 5, each vibrator 13 and 14 comprises a plurality of identical separate vvibrator units 16 arranged in three rows extending transversely of the conveyer, with the units in each rouI staggered relative to those in the other rows, so that every portion of the surface to be cleaned sweeps past at least two of theunits 16, Each vibrator unit, as shown, comprises a vibrationgenerating portion 16a, a vibration transmitting portion 16h, and a shoe 16e, the outer faces 16d of which constitute the previously mentioned working face of the vibrator. The units 16` are disclosed and claimed in the copending application of Leon W. Camp, filed May 5, 1954, Serial No. 427,848, now Patent No. 2,723,386. For an understanding of the present invention, it is `sufficient to state that when the units 16 are energized their shoes 16C are strongly vibrated in direction perpendicular to their faces 16d, i.e., toward and away from the plate 11 that is to be cleaned.

When the space between the faces 16d and the plate 11 is filled with water or other cleaning liquid, waves are generated therein which produce alternate compression and rarefaction that is highlyA effective in cleaning the plate.` j

The space between the is kept substantially iilledwith water, orI other cleaning liquid, by spraying it onto the plate immediately ahead of and back of the vibrators 13 and 14. As shown in Fig. 3, water is sprayed from jets in four transverse spray pipes 18, 19, 2i) and 21. The jets in each of the pipes are directed to produce sprays 22, 23, 24 and 25 impinging on the plate 11 at a low angle toward the vibrators, so that the water banks up between leach surface of the plate and the adjacent surfaces 16d of the vibrators, and escapes past the edges of the shoes 16C carrying with it the `dirt that is loosened from the surface of the plate by the sonic waves in the water. Because of the fact that the sprays 24 and 25 at the exit end of the machine are directed opposite to the movement of the plate, they sweep it clean of debris and excess water as it leaves the machine.

The pipes 18, 19, 20 and 21 may be connected at one end by hoses 26 (Fig. l) to any suitable source of pressure liquid (not shown).

Each of the vibrators 13 and 14 is usually operated at such a high power level that substantial heat is` generated in it, and it is necessary or desirable to water-cool it. To this end, additional spray pipes 27, 2829 and 30 may be provided having jets for projecting sprays 31, 32,v 33 and 34 onto `the portions of the vibratorunits above the shoes 16C. Y

The vibrator` 13 is supported by a frame including U a main tubular cross `beam 35 (Figs. 1 and 2) which a plate 11 and the `shoe faces 16d l 3 itself supported at each opposite end by a pair of tubular pillars in the'form of an inverted V welded at the apex of the V to thefbeamy 35'. Thepillars 36 and 37 rest on a. heavy base 38. The crossv beam 35 has secured thereto, as by welding, three.- brackets 39, 40 and 41 from whichy the vibrator assembly is suspended by six rods 42. To enable accurate vertical adjustment of the vibrator, each rod 42V has a threaded upper end extending through an aperture in its associated bracket 39, 40. or 41 and receiving a nut.44 which restson the bracket. By tightening or. loosening4 any nut,` the upper end of theY associated rod 42 maybe accurately raised or lowered.

The three rods 42 at` the front end of the machine are, secured at their lowerends, as by `welding, to a front cross, beam 45 (Fig. 3), and the three rear rods 42 are similarlyv secured tor a rear cross beam 46. Detachably secured to 4and extending between the cross beams 45 and 46 are one or more grids 48 (Fig. 4)l each having spaced members 49 extending parallel to the cross beams 45 and 46v which support the individual vibrator units 416. Thus, each1V unit 16 has a flange 16e resting on adjacent members 49 and clamped thereagainst by screws 50., The grids 48 are'attached to thecross beams 45 and 46.' by screws 52. The assembly described permits rapid and easy replacement of any virbrator unit 16 that may become defective. Y Referring to Fig. 3, each of the cross beamsA 45 and 46 is provided with an extension 53 welded to its lower edge which, functions as a support for the spray tubes l8r, 27,. 20. and 29. Thus, the tubes are shown clamped against, the underside of the extensions 53 by clips 54.

The mounting of the lower vibrator units is similar to that, of the` upper ones, except that the grids 48 supportingv the vibrators are secured to. a pair of lower cross beams 5,5 and 56, each of which is adjustably supported at each end and at the middle by jacks which can be manipulated-independently.

The two cross beams 45 and 46 are rigidly connected together at their endsy by side plates 57 and beams 55 and 56' are connected at their ends by plates 58. By virtue of these side plates and the reinforcing 'etect of the grids 48, the assemblies are relatively rigid.V

Each of the beams S and 56 has outwardly extending brackets 6'0, oneV at each end and one in the middle, for supporting engagement by separate jacks 61,62 and 63. These jacks may be of any convenient type, and a conventional scissor type is shown, each having an adjusting Worm or screw 64 lwhich is rotated to expand or contract the jack. Suitable extension handles 65 and 66,V respectively, areprovided on the jacks 61 and 62, so that all adjustments can be' made from one side of the machine. The jacks are supported on brackets 67 welded to a pair of heavy transverse tubular beams 68 and 69 whichv extend between and are welded tov the side members 38'.

' By individually adjusting the six jacks, a small uniform clearance between the working face of the lower vibrator 1'4 and' the under side of the glass sheet 11 can be obtained.

` Although the present invention does not relate particularly to the electrical equipment for energizing the electromechanical vibrators, there is shown an upper housing 70 extending transversely in front of the machine and supported by pillars 71 containing main leads or bus bars from which connecting cables 72 are extended to the transducers in each of the grids 48. A similar lower housing 73 extending between the lower ends of the pillars 71 maybe provided for containing the main conductors or bus bars from which connectors 74 are extended to the yvarious supporting grids of the lower vibrator 14.

There is shown in Figs. 6 and 7 a structure for cleaning the` tops of the tables after they have been used to.' supporty sheets of glass during the., grinding process.

As shown, each table 80 is provided with flanged wheels 81 running on a track 82 past the cleaning machine. The latter comprises a vibrator structure identical with the upper vibrator 13 of Fig. 2, the only difference being in the supporting framework.

In Figs. 6 and 7, the main frame comprises a cross beam 83 corresponding generally to the cross beam 35 in Figs. 1 and 2- from which the grids containing the vibrator units are supported in the same way. The cross beam 83 is supported at each end by an inclined beam 84 which is rigidly secured at its upper end to the cross `beam 83 and is hingedly supported at its lower end Aby hinges 85 at the upper end of a supporting column 86. A further cross member 87 is extended ibetween and secured to the two side members 84 adjacent their lower ends. Two additional members 87a and 88 are provided on each side of the machine, the member 87ev being joined tothe me'mber 84 at a point nearits lower end and extending horizontally beyond and below the cross' beam 83V where it is joined to the lower lend of: themember 88, the upper end of the latter being joined to` the cross beam- 83. At their points of joinderl the members 87aand S8 are joined to a third cross member 89, whichV isprovided with wheels 99 adapted to rest upon the upper surface 80a of a table being cleaned;

A large number of. the tables 80. are employed, and in practice they are moved continuously in end-to-end relation through the cleaning machine, so that there is never any lack of supportl for the w `eels 90. Because ofV the fact. that the whels roll on: `the table being cleaned, they quite accurately gauge the spacing between'the working `face of hte vibrator and the table top, regardless of slight differences. in height of dilerenti tobles. Variation in height of different tables produces ay relatively small change in the gap between the vibrator face and. the table top because of the substantially greater horizontal. distance from the hinge 85m the vibrator than from the wheels 904 to the vibrator. A: relatively fine adjustment ofthe height of the vibrator isV obtained by means. of the adjusting nuts on the supporting rods 42, the same as described in` connection with Figs. l and 2.

Although for the purpose of explaining the invention, a particular embodimentthereof has been shown and described, obvious modications `will occur to.y a person skilled inv the art, and I do not, desire to. be limited to the exact details shown and described.

Iclaim;

l. A. machine: ofY the type described 'for treating the upper face; of an4 objectk moving therepast through a lixedV pathV extending parallel, to` one dimension of said face, saidV machine comprising; an electromechanical vibrator having a workingV `face vibrating in direction normal thereto;` means supporting said vibrator in stationary position with saidworking face in closely spaced parallel relation to the adjacent boundary of the said iixed path, said WorkingV Vface extending horizontally thel full width ofY said object face whereby all portionsv of the latter pass in close proximity to said working face; means for directing a liquid medium into the space between said, working face and said object face whereby waves are developed in saidl medi-um and appliedy to said object face as it moves past said working face; saidisupporting means comprising a frame to which said vibrator is attached, and stationary means 'hingedly' supporting said frame for swinging movement about a transverse axis approximately in the said boundary` of the path and substantially spaced longitudinally from said' vibrator, anidtmeans `for supporting said frame adapted to rest on the face to be cleaned, said frame-supporting means. being longitudinally disposed closer to said vibrator than is said transverse hinge axis.

2. A machine of the typeY described for treating the upper face of an object moving in a normally gaseous atomsphere through a fixed path extending parallel t0 one dimension of said face, said machine comprising: an electromechanical vibrator having a working face vibrating in direction normal thereto; means supporting said vibrator with said working face in closely spaced parallel relation to the adjacent boundary of said fixed path whereby the object face passes in close proximity to said working `face; the space between said working face and said xed path communicating with said gaseous atmosphere for gravitational drainage of liquid from said space to said atmosphere; and means -for forcibly projecting a liquid medium into said space whereby said space is lled with said liquid medium despite said gravitational drainage of liquid therefrom to said gaseous tamosphere, and waves are developed in said medium and applied to the face of said object as it moves past said working face; said supporting means comprising a frame to which said vibrator is attached, stationary means hingedly supporting said frame for swinging movement about a transverse axis approximately in the said boundary of the path and substantially spaced longitudinally from said vibrator, and supporting means on said frame adapted to rest on the face to be cleaned and being longitudinally disposed closer to said vibrator than is said transverse hinge axis.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,944,607 Millan Jan. 23, 1934 2,163,650 Weaver June 27, 1939 2,460,919 Bodine Feb. 8, 1949 2,484,014 Peterson Oct. 11, 1949 2,554,701 Hackett May 29, 1951 2,616,820 Bourgeaux Nov. 4, 1952 2,652,842 Hayes Sept. 22, 1953 2,662,851 Jones Dec. 15, 1953 2,702,260 Massa Feb. 15, 1955 2,784,119 McCown Mar. 5, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 425,473 Italy Oct. 1, 1947 

